Sound Off: Jan. 1

USA: Everyone is so critical of Trump, yet the survey in your paper shows people were very unhappy with our country in 2015 while Obama was in office, 55 percent believe things will be better in 2017, a 12 percent improvement from last year's poll.

GUNS: The person claiming the Berlin terrorist could have come to the U.S. and bought a gun, "thanks to the NRA," is incorrect. It is illegal for someone who is not a U.S. citizen to buy a gun here. Just like it was illegal for him to run over people with a truck. But he did it anyway.

TRUMP CABINET: I'm glad to see billionaires in the Trump administration. They've already made their fortune, so there's no incentive for them to sell their influence like the Clintons did for years.

CONGRESS: And so it begins. Now the far right is moving to ban members from live streaming or sending photos from the House floor. The tighty righty's want to hide their misdeeds from the public just like Trump hides from the press. What have you got to hide Paul Ryan?

MIDEAST: I saw it on Breitbart so I know it's got to be true that the emperor-elect is going to take care of the Israeli-Palestinian problem as soon as he is sworn to emperorship.

MUSLIMS: Trump doesn't want Muslims living in the United States. The best neighbors I ever had were a Muslim family. They were always very nice to me and gave me help whenever I needed it. Terrorists do not represent the Muslim people or the Muslim theology. Trump is wrong.

LETTERS: It looks like you put Letters to the Editor addressed to the El Paso Times into the Las Cruces Sun-News Letters to the Editor section. (Editor's note: I apologize for the production error. We'll make sure it doesn't happen again.)

PLAZA: I drive by the downtown plaza every morning. I'm thankful that that giant, beautiful tree is not a real tree that has been cut and left to die in the plaza. The whole plaza is beyond gorgeous. The palm trees are all lit up. The plaza changes colors. You know, some people just see the world through ugly glasses. But I want to thank the people of Las Cruces who worked on all the decorations downtown. They are outstanding!

GRT: And I thought the Republican Party was an anti-tax party.

MRVDA: This is in response to the item about the Mesilla Valley regional dispatcher 40. I'm sorry this person had an unfortunate experience, but he needs to understand how busy these people are and how short-staffed they are. I have met several people who work there, including management, who are very kind and caring. They love this community and do the best that they can. Instead of criticizing, see how you can help.

ISRAEL: Netanyahu's displeasure with the Obama administration came when our president failed to support Israel's leader to bomb Iran nuclear facilities.

TRUMP: Speaking of a most interesting and unsettling four years ahead, as our world becomes increasingly edgy we have placed a 21st century Billy the Kid at our country's helm.

DISTINGUISHED RESIDENT: What a terrific tribute to Heather Pollard. That is true “front page” news. Thanks, Heather, from our community.

NATIONAL MONUMENTS: Obama has used his executive power to create national monuments 29 times, taking 548 million acres of federal lands out of use forever. All done in the name of election money payback to environmental special interests.

FOUR MORE YEARS: How arrogant can Obama be, saying if he ran for president again Trump would have lost. That's one reason Hillary lost, saying she would continue on Obama's failed policies. He's done enough damage to the United States in eight years.